Changes in Attitude

It's officially fall. A day I hadn't been looking forward to with much anticipation. Here in the northwest we had a late start to summer (really late) and it turned out to be a cool, damp one. It felt like we were just getting settled into the carefree days of summer when school started, and our rain.

As I stare at my summer wardrobe for the last time this year, it's a reflective moment and a turning point for so many reasons.

There's the shorts, flip flops and tees that I just didn't get to wear often enough this year, and often when I did, they were covered with a jacket to stay warm. There's the sweatshirts that were never retired for the summer and potentially worn more often than last winter. And there's the strappy sundresses and capped sleeve tops that didn't fit (again) this year because I didn't meet my fitness goals.

And that just opens up another can of disappointment: Fit by 40 didn't happen this year. I've been mourning my messed up nose that prevents easy breathing during exercise, and sulking over not having the $5,000 to spend on it. It's likely time to move on.

But, back to clothes. As I reorganize my closet, moving summer clothes to the dark little area in the back, while bringing fall and winter clothes to the current-season position, I am reminded of the colors and textures of fall that I love. Cozy orange sweaters, green corduroy pants, tweed skirts, and tall black boots.

And I suddenly have a new outlook on fall. 

Later as I sort through my son's fall clothes from last year to see what needs to be taken to the consignment shop, outside his window I notice how much of our big tree out front has started to turn colors. I remember that I love the turning of the leaves. It's one of my favorite events of the year, likely because I had to wait 30 years to witness. I love watching the leaves fall from the trees, then scoop them up and kick them as high as we can into the air on cool afternoon walks.

As we dusted off our rain boots for the first rainy soccer game this season, the kids remembered how fun it is to jump in puddles that are always at their best in the fall. They start to ask about pumpkin patches and apple picking - special fall trips that they enjoy.

Since I'm organizing, and adjusting my attitude about saying goodbye to summer, I decide it's time to stop grieving my nose. There's still many things I can do to move my body without running or biking, like jumping in puddles or kicking leaves on a walk to feed the ducks. The disappointment is still there, but the 10-ish pounds of baby fat doesn't need to be.

It's time to look forward. I like this new attitude. This new perspective. On fall, and the changes that come with it. Change can become change.

 

Comments

[Jodi]

I find that often when I am blue or disappointed it is good to find out how to turn that around, a little self reflection. And changing my perspective is exactly what works. So kudos to you for trying to find a new outlook and finding the positive/happiness in what's going on today. That's a gorgeous tree btw. :)

[Gina]

Thanks Jodi. You're so right about self reflection being key. It's just not always top of mind or there's not quiet time to do it within our busy lives. When something is buggin' me THAT much, I try to be mindful about it and realize that it just needs to be taken care of.